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Rome

Ancient colosseum, Vatican splendour and eternal-city bustle.

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Overview

Rome is the Eternal City, where the Colosseum's arches, the Vatican's Michelangelo ceiling and the Trevi Fountain's baroque drama define millennia of civilisation. The Roman Forum, Trastevere's lantern-lit lanes and the city's legendary carbonara and suppli complete the feast.

Plan your trip

Best time to visit

April to June for mild weather and fewer crowds; September to October for golden light.

How to get there

Rome Fiumicino (FCO) and Ciampino (CIA) airports serve the city with global connections. Direct trains connect Florence (1h30), Naples (1h10) and Milan (3h).

Getting around

The metro, bus and tram network covers the city; walking is best in the historic centre; taxis and ride-hailing supplement.

Travel budget

Three-star hotels EUR 100-200/night; a carbonara dinner EUR 15-25; Vatican Museums entry EUR 17.

Safety

Very safe; watch for pickpockets in crowded metro and piazzas.

Visa information

Schengen visa; EU/EEA free entry.

Internet & eSIM

Excellent 4G/5G; EU eSIMs reliable in Lazio.

Where to stay

Top hotels in Rome

Reviewed and recommended places to stay, whatever your budget.

Hotel Artemide

Rome, Italy

Central rooftop stay near Via Nazionale

$$$

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Things to do

Best experiences in Rome

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill tourHistory4.9

Colosseum, Roman Forum & Palatine Hill tour

Go beneath the Colosseum floor to the tunnels where gladiators waited, then walk the ruins of the Roman Forum and Palatine Hill with skip-the-line entry throughout. Your guide brings 2,000 years of history to life without the crowds, making it the anchor of any Rome itinerary.

3 hours
$85
Roman Forum and Colosseum TourHistory

Roman Forum and Colosseum Tour

3 hours
Trastevere evening food tourFood & Drink4.9

Trastevere evening food tour

Cross the Tiber into Trastevere after dark and eat your way through the district's best trattorias, pizza al taglio counters and gelaterias. The small-group format keeps it intimate, and the tastings are generous enough to count as dinner.

3 hours
$90
Catacombs of Rome guided tourHistory4.5

Catacombs of Rome guided tour

Descend into the ancient tunnels beneath Rome where early Christians buried their dead and gathered in secret. A knowledgeable guide explains the fascinating frescoes and burial customs, then heads above ground to the Appian Way for a taste of the city's quieter side.

3 hours
$55
Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel skip-the-lineMuseums4.8

Vatican Museums & Sistine Chapel skip-the-line

Walk straight past the queues into the Vatican Museums, taking in the Raphael Rooms and the spiral staircase before standing beneath Michelangelo's ceiling in the Sistine Chapel — all with a guide who knows exactly where to stop and when to move on during the busiest hours.

3.5 hours
$95

Day by day

Suggested itineraries

Read more

Guides about Rome

Rome Travel Guide: What to Know Before You GoDestination Guide

Rome Travel Guide: What to Know Before You Go

The Colosseum booking system, metro basics, neighbourhood picks and the free-versus-paid highlights that shape a first trip to Rome.

Maya Chen · August 26, 2026
Rome in 4 Days: A Complete Itinerary for First-TimersItinerary

Rome in 4 Days: A Complete Itinerary for First-Timers

Colosseum mornings, Vatican strategy, baroque walks and Trastevere evenings - a four-day Rome plan that dodges the worst queues.

Maya Chen · August 29, 2026
Best Things to Do in Rome: 15 Experiences Worth BookingDestination Guide

Best Things to Do in Rome: 15 Experiences Worth Booking

The Colosseum arena, Vatican strategy, baroque walks and Roman food rituals - the Rome experiences worth your time and money.

Maya Chen · August 30, 2026
Rome Airport Transfer Guide: Getting from FCO to the CityDestination Guide

Rome Airport Transfer Guide: Getting from FCO to the City

Leonardo Express, FL1, the flat-rate taxi and private transfers - prices, times and the smartest way from Fiumicino into Rome.

Maya Chen · August 30, 2026
Best Hotels in Rome: Where to Stay for Every BudgetDestination Guide

Best Hotels in Rome: Where to Stay for Every Budget

Centro Storico, Trastevere, near-Termini and Monti - the best Rome neighbourhoods and hotels, tested for a first trip.

Maya Chen · August 30, 2026
Best Day Trips from Rome: Ostia, Pompeii, Tivoli & MoreDestination Guide

Best Day Trips from Rome: Ostia, Pompeii, Tivoli & More

Ancient ports, emperor-scale villas and lake villages - the best escapes from Rome, all under an hour by train.

Maya Chen · August 30, 2026
Rome with Kids: How to Make the Eternal City Family-SizedDestination Guide

Rome with Kids: How to Make the Eternal City Family-Sized

Morning ruins, afternoon piazzas and gelato infrastructure - Rome planned around the family's actual energy.

Maya Chen · August 29, 2026
eSIM in Rome: Stay Connected Without RoamingDestination Guide

eSIM in Rome: Stay Connected Without Roaming

How to use an eSIM in Rome: buy, activate, and stay connected without roaming charges.

September 3, 2026

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